YOUNG AVENGERS INITIATIVE – OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
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"Today marks the formation of the Young Avengers."
Everyone turned as a soft beep played.
A screen unfolded, revealing Tony Stark's smirking face.
"Well, if you're watching this, congratulations. You're officially on the payroll—though I'm 87% sure most of you won't ever send me an invoice."
His digital self grinned. "Let's get serious. This isn't a kids' club. You're the best chance this world has when the big guns are too far, or too late, or too occupied."
Peter blinked. "Wait, is he talking about—?"
"Focus," whispered Miles.
"Also this means I finally got my 'Teen Titans but better' dream team going. Look at you. So young. So shiny. I'm almost proud."
Peter facepalmed softly. "This is gonna be weird, isn't it?"
Tony continued. "You're gonna need a leader. Someone with a clear head, quick reflexes, and a moral compass strong enough to steer a freight train through a hurricane."
He paused, the smirk fading to something more thoughtful.
"I'm naming Peter Parker as your leader."
Every head turned toward Peter.
Tony's voice dropped. "Not because he's the strongest. Not because he's the smartest. But because he has the heart of a hero more than anyone I've ever met. And I've met everyone."
Peter stared at the floor, stunned. 'Did he really just say that? Me?'
A silence hung over the room, heavy and full.
Even Ana tilted her head, surprised.
Pietro blinked. "Wait. Him?"
Laura's brows furrowed. She said nothing, but didn't look away from Peter.
David simply nodded, accepting it with a quiet ease.
Tony's voice returned.
"And backing him up, we've got David Alleyne. The brain of the operation. Between the two of them, you'll be in the best hands possible—assuming you all don't blow each other up in the first week."
He gave a mock salute and vanished.
Peter opened his mouth. Closed it. Then spoke.
"I—uh… okay. That's… a lot. But… I'll do my best. And if I screw up… well, you'll probably notice right away."
David stepped up beside him. "He won't. And I'll make sure of it."
Ana gave a short nod. "If Stark believed in you, that's good enough for me."
Pietro grinned. "Guess we'll see if Spidey can handle more than muggers."
Peter swallowed hard. 'Okay. Breathe. Don't panic. Just lead the most powerful group of teenagers on Earth. No pressure.'
Peter smiled nervously. 'Yup. No pressure at all.'
Before anyone could react further, another figure stepped forward. A red and blue shield gleamed on her arm.
Captain Carter.
She moved like thunder held in check.
"Good. Because we've got your first mission."
The display shifted—now showing the Wakandan coastline. Dots indicated seismic disturbances, mining sites, and recent sabotage attacks.
"Wakanda discovered a new Vibranium vein—submerged deep in what we now believe is disputed territory between Wakanda and Talokan. Since then, their outposts have been under attack. Wakanda suspects Namor is retaliating. We suspect… something deeper."
Images flashed—collapsed outposts, waterlogged tech, and reports of bioluminescent warriors tearing through patrols.
"Your job," she said, "is to de-escalate the situation, protect Wakandan engineers, and uncover who's pulling the strings. Namor doesn't start wars without reason—but he'll finish them without hesitation."
Kamala raised a hand nervously. "Wait… like… the Namor? Water-wings, trident, temper issues Namor?"
"Exactly," Carter said. "Your mission is to keep this from becoming a war. And gain Wakanda's full cooperation for what comes next."
The screen changed again.
A live satellite feed of Egypt.
Or what used to be Egypt.
The land was reshaping—towers of obsidian rising from desert sands, glowing hieroglyphs pulsing like veins of power.
Apocalypse was awakening the old world.
"This isn't just diplomacy. It's preparation. Wakanda is one of the few nations with the tech, power, and unity to help resist what's coming."
Steve stepped forward, his tone heavy.
"You succeed, and you gain a crucial ally. You fail…"
The image zoomed in. A massive shadow rose over the desert.
"We'll have one less ally, possibly."
Silence.
Silence.
Riri tapped her helmet. "Then let's not screw up."
Ana stepped forward. "We'll handle it."
Pietro cracked his knuckles. "Let's make some waves."
Miles smiled faintly. "That was terrible."
Peter looked around the room—at these kids, these warriors, these allies. His team.
'I'm not ready for this. But… maybe none of us are. Maybe that's the point.'
"Alright," Peter said. "We're going to Wakanda. Let's keep this world from tearing itself apart."
Carter nodded. "You leave in an hour. Suit up."
As they turned to go, the lights faded again. The hologram of the world hung behind them.
Still spinning.
Still breaking.
Still waiting for heroes to rise.
END OF CHAPTER 79
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